Manchester United vs Everton: Major blow for Eric Bailly after car accident

January 1, 2021 Manchester United's Eric Bailly celebrates after the match [ REUTERS]

Eric Bailly is facing a race against time to prove himself fit for Manchester United's game against Everton this weekend.

The defender has been enjoying an impressive season for the Red Devils, but has not featured since the win over Fulham last month after he was hurt in a car accident.

Bailly was a passenger in a car that skidded on ice and crashed into a tree near the club's training ground in Carrington, damaging his shin as a result.

He has been on the bench for the last two matches against Arsenal and Southampton, but according to the Daily Mail Bailly has recently picked up yet another minor injury in training.

It is believed he will undergo a fitness test on Saturday morning, but it is looking more than likely he will not feature in the 8pm kick-off against the Toffees at Old Trafford.

Victor Lindelof has recently taken Bailly's place in the team alongside Harry Maguire in the centre-back positions.

And he has helped United keep a clean sheet in both games he has played following the 0-0 draw with the Gunners and 9-0 thumping of the Saints.

It remains to be seen what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chooses to do, but the Norwegian boss was bullish when asked about the competition for places in his side.

"It's a sign of a Man United player that takes on the challenge of competition because if you can't deal with competition and you want to be successful you're at the wrong place," he said.

Democratic Republic of the Congo's forward Dieumerci Mbokani (L) heads the ball with Ivory Coast's defender Eric Bailly during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group C football match between Ivory Coast and DR Congo in Oyem on January 20, 2017. [AFP PHOTO]

"Nobody is guaranteed a place in the team like a season-ticket card here. You've got to perform to be part of the success of Man United. I've been part of it myself with strikers coming in and you've just got to take the challenge head on.

"I've really enjoyed the response I've had from the players. We've signed players that we believe in but that's also kicked some of the other players up the backside to perform and make sure they keep performing."

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